Chapter 199: Another Village Beyond the Shaded Willows and Bright Blossoms
Outer Sea.
On an island where spiritual energy was relatively thin, no one would have imagined that this island turned out to be the temporary hiding place of a group of vicious robber cultivators.
That day, a streak of light appeared on the horizon.
“Damn it, you bunch of idiots, are you all blind?”
Lin Chang’an, disguised as a beautiful female cultivator, drove a flying vessel down onto the island. With her head held high, she barked arrogantly at the desolate island.
Her attitude was extremely domineering.
However, no one responded. The beautiful female cultivator only snorted coldly, then took out a jade token. Pressing a hand to her shoulder, she walked toward the barren island.
With ripples of light shimmering, she passed through the barrier, and the scene inside was completely different.
“Milady.”
“Get lost!”
A burly man, bowing nervously, tried to say something, but was met only with the female cultivator’s cold rebuke. He turned pale with fright.
The other cultivators, seeing this, all lowered their heads as though they had seen nothing.
Inside the island, on the beach, a merchant ship rested, surrounded by robber cultivators exuding murderous aura. When they saw the female cultivator, they all shrank back like quails, not daring to look directly at her.
“Enough, stop flaunting your temper here. Everyone’s risking their lives in this business, it’s not easy for anyone.”
At this moment, an impatient voice rang out. The cultivators around the ship immediately bowed with respect in their hearts.
“Lord Wang.”
In front of outsiders, however, the tall and beautiful female cultivator only snorted coldly, her face gloomy. With her hand still pressed against her shoulder and such a fiery temper upon returning, it was clear to everyone.
She must have suffered a huge loss outside.
“Wang Linfei, this is only on account of the Island Lord.”
Lin Chang’an, disguised as the beautiful female cultivator, imitated her arrogant temper, leaving the other man stifled and helpless.
As he strode toward the inside of the merchant ship, he quietly sensed the cultivation and numbers of the island’s cultivators.
He nodded secretly in the end. As expected, only Wang Linfei was a Foundation Establishment early-stage body cultivator, while the others were at late-stage Qi Refining. They were of little concern.
Inside the ship were simple formations, not only soundproofing but also reinforcing the structure.
Clearly, on the surface, it was a merchant ship, but in truth, it was a robber ship.
“What happened to you!?”
Upon entering the main hall inside the ship, Wang Linfei finally asked in confusion.
Lin Chang’an, still in disguise, scowled and said:
“What else could it be? The other two aren’t coming back. If it weren’t for me running fast, I would have been finished too.”
As she spoke, her voice was full of annoyance, yet at her waist hung two bloodstained storage pouches belonging to the others.
This made Wang Linfei inwardly disdainful. For all he knew, this woman might have grown greedy and killed the others herself.
Though they were Dao-companions, this female cultivator had refined a venomous flower as her life-bound spirit plant, making her entirely a poison cultivator—untouchable.
Coupled with her arrogance from relying on Five Dragon Island, her attitude was unbearably grating, but there was nothing he could do.
“Fine then. Since you’re injured, rest here. Has the Island Lord given any recent assignments?”
Wang Linfei spoke impatiently. Although she was mid Foundation Establishment, as a body cultivator at the same level, he was nearly invincible. He feared no mid Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Seeing he had no doubts at all, Lin Chang’an was secretly delighted. Fortunately, this woman was not a good person and had an eccentric temper.
If she had been soft and gentle, that might have been troublesome.
“The Island Lord’s assignment is one month from now. At the Fog Sea of Tongtian, a Xuanyin Pavilion merchant ship from Liang Country will be passing by. Remember—don’t get exposed.
Once exposed, your Wang Clan will have no choice but to hide in the Fog Sea forever, living as filthy rats in the dark.”
“You!”
Though he knew her temper, Wang Linfei still could not help but glare furiously. This woman utterly disregarded his Wang Clan.
“You what! Do you know who I ran into this time?”
Lin Chang’an, still in disguise, grew even fiercer. She glared and cursed:
“It was your Wang Clan’s nemesis, the Palace of Blazing Fire. Someone surnamed Huang. If not for my luck, we three would have all been finished! Even my Jade Crystal Bee Queen is gone.”
“How could that be? The three of you are mid Foundation Establishment. Even an ordinary late Foundation Establishment couldn’t have kept you!”
“What if it was a Talisman Treasure?”
“What!”
Under his shocked gaze, Lin Chang’an, in disguise, snorted coldly and said with irritation:
“The Talisman Treasure—Scarlet Sun Sword. Tell me that’s not the Palace of Blazing Fire. If it weren’t for the fact that the Talisman Treasure could only be used once, I wouldn’t have made it back.”
Lin Chang’an described the Scarlet Sun Sword in vivid detail. As the Wang Clan’s sworn enemy, how could Wang Linfei not recognize it?
“There’s no mistake. It’s definitely that wretched Palace of Blazing Fire!”
At the mention of the Palace of Blazing Fire, Wang Linfei’s fury erupted. That sect had nearly exterminated their clan.
His own elder brother, Wang Lin, had died at the Palace of Blazing Fire’s hands.
Back then, the brothers had each fled with a copy of their clan’s ancient cultivation method. The result was obvious.
He had since changed his name to Wang Linfei, as a way to remember his elder brother and the countless Wang Clan kin lost in blood hatred.
“This is the route given by the Island Lord.”
Lin Chang’an snorted coldly and pulled out a jade token from the storage pouch. It contained the planned route of the merchant ship target.
“Also, go inform the Chief Elder. It’s time to deliver the tribute.”
At last, Lin Chang’an gave another cold order. From the woman’s memories, every so often, the Wang Clan had to hand over a portion of loot and spirit stones from their raids.
Otherwise, how could they have thrived so well in the seas around Five Dragon Island?
“And you!?”
Wang Linfei frowned. Didn’t this mean she wouldn’t be participating in the mission?
“Me? With these injuries, you expect me to go? Besides, why does the Island Lord keep you people around? If you can’t do it, there are others who will.”
“And another thing—time’s up. Deliver the tribute.”
Hearing her domineering tone, Wang Linfei only gave a cold snort, took the jade token, and left.
Only after he left did Lin Chang’an secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
In truth, from the woman’s memories, the plan had been to hand over the tribute together on the next occasion.
But seeing how smoothly his deception went, and knowing of the Wang Clan’s grudge against the Palace of Blazing Fire, he had other thoughts.
“If I were to capture this man, it wouldn’t be difficult, but he might not have the complete inheritance.”
Lin Chang’an’s eyes flickered. That female cultivator had not received the full inheritance either. By that logic, Wang Linfei likely didn’t have it.
What he truly wanted more than the inheritance was the withered leaf.
“Wang Linfei, as the Wang Clan’s young master’s younger brother, by talent and age, his cultivation shouldn’t be this low.”
But then he recalled how difficult body cultivation was, and it made sense.
At his age, already Foundation Establishment early-stage in body cultivation, he would likely break through soon.
Moreover, focusing solely on body cultivation after Foundation Establishment required immense time and effort.
Lin Chang’an also guessed that during the Wang Clan’s escape, Wang Linfei had likely lost much time for cultivation.
“Still, all this is secondary. The Wang Clan is almost all heading out to the Fog Sea of Tongtian to raid merchant ships, leaving only one elder in their lair. This is a heaven-sent opportunity.”
From the woman’s memories, the robbers regularly turned over higher-grade goods and spirit stones.
By using this chance, he could infiltrate the Wang Clan’s lair.
His sudden change of plans was because he realized how useful this identity was.
“The Wang Clan has no Core Formation cultivator now, not even a False Core cultivator. Even if discovered, while I may not be able to win, escaping would be easy.”
Finally, Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. He decided to take advantage of this tribute delivery for Five Dragon Island’s Island Lord, and see if an opportunity arose.
If so, all the better. If not, he would not take the risk and would simply leave quietly, waiting for Wang Linfei to return.
Then, he would find the right chance to capture him and investigate the cultivation method.
At the very least, he could not leave empty-handed.
…
After Wang Linfei left, he secretly transmitted his voice to the clan’s elder.
The Wang Clan had nearly been wiped out before, and after so many years as robbers, they were extremely cautious. Their lair was relocated each time, so even Wang Linfei himself did not know where it was.
The Wang Clan was divided into three groups, communicating only through voice-transmission talismans.
On an island with thin spiritual energy, only two Foundation Establishment cultivators were stationed.
“Chief Elder, word has come down from above. This is the latest route, it’s Xuanyin Pavilion and—”
“Hmph! After all these years, they still treat our Wang Clan as a knife to be used in the shadows. Brother, if this goes on, I fear one day Five Dragon Island will turn around and silence us.”
“Enough, our Wang Clan has finally managed to gain a foothold. What do you suggest then? Are you willing to give up these resources?”
Since taking the first step, their Wang Clan had no way back.
This ambitious Chief Elder of the Wang Clan, his long hair already white, wore a look of exhaustion. With a long sigh, he waved his hand and said:
“Enough, tell the others to continue as usual. Five Dragon Island is not something we can provoke. At the very least, with these resources over the years, our Wang Clan has secretly raised quite a few young cultivators.
Remember, never tell these children that we are robber cultivators. Let them grow up in peace. Hopefully, we can shelter the new generation until they rise.”
At this moment, the Chief Elder of the Wang Clan had none of his former vigor, only loss. Fortunately, over these years, thanks to the resources, many Wang Clan disciples had been secretly sent back.
Back then, in pursuit of fortune, he had nearly brought about the extermination of the Wang Clan. But he had no choice.
Even if he had not been greedy, would the Palace of Blazing Fire have believed the Wang Clan had not hidden anything?
“Chief Elder!”
“Go down. Remember to send someone over. This past year has been tense. Have her take the resources, and at the same time, test this Dragon Island Lord’s attitude.”
“Yes!”
Watching the disciples leave one by one, the Chief Elder’s clouded eyes sighed deeply.
“This ancient cultivation method, perhaps only in ancient times could it be considered top-tier. Now, it has become a burden.”
The Wang Clan had obtained both the spell and body cultivation chapters, but the method was extremely difficult. Even just cultivating the life-bound spirit plant posed huge problems.
If the wrong spirit plant was chosen, it would even affect one’s temperament.
Of course, in the cultivation world where strength was everything, many demonic cultivation methods were the same. That was not unusual.
The real problem was that cultivating these life-bound spirit plants was like nurturing ordinary plants—at most, they would just barely gain sentience. Continuing to nurture them was like trying to turn rotten wood into a spirit plant.
Far too difficult!
“A spirit plant of over three thousand years—such a thing would tempt even a Nascent Soul cultivator.”
The Chief Elder of the Wang Clan sighed again. This was why he believed that while the method might have been top-tier, it was only suitable for ancient times.
…
On the barren island, Lin Chang’an waited three days before finally receiving news.
Wang Linfei had revealed the new location of the Wang Clan’s lair to him, then led a group of robber cultivators, disguised as a merchant caravan, away in grand fashion.
“So that’s it?”
Lin Chang’an was stunned. Looking at the jade token in his hand, he secretly shook his head.
He had overthought things. The identity he was disguising as now was practically equivalent to a Core Formation cultivator’s appointed envoy.
For a mere Foundation Establishment clan like the Wang Clan, who would dare oppose him?
Besides, everything he had done was exactly what this identity had always done, so no one had suspected him.
“But before leaving, these robber cultivators hid flags and robe insignias on the ship. These are marks of the Palace of Blazing Fire!”
But thinking about it, that made sense. With such deep hatred between the Palace of Blazing Fire and the Wang Clan, since they were already masquerading as robber cultivators, pretending to be the Palace of Blazing Fire was only natural.
For him, however, this was perfect.
“The Palace of Blazing Fire’s old bounty, along with Huang Shaohai’s grudge—perfect for letting the two of you bite each other.”
Lin Chang’an sneered. He had no fondness for the Wang Clan.
Not only had the Wang Clan once been domineering and even bullied him in Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace, but Wang Lin himself had once intended to kill him.
This grudge, he naturally had not forgotten.
“This item is wasted in your Wang Clan’s hands. You couldn’t use it anyway.”
Lin Chang’an’s expression grew solemn. Withdrawing the formation, which turned the place back into a barren island, he summoned his flying vessel.
Riding the waves, he headed toward the location Wang Linfei had revealed.
…
A full day later.
He finally landed on a small island where spiritual energy was relatively poor.
Disguised as the tall and beautiful female cultivator, Lin Chang’an calmly avoided the other cultivators and followed the route into a massive cavern.
Inside the cavern was empty, with only two broken merchant ships docked.
“It seems most of the cultivators have already departed.”
Lin Chang’an nodded inwardly. Seeing only a few low-level Wang Clan disciples, he headed toward the cave mansion of the Wang Clan’s Chief Elder.
“Since you’ve come, then come in.”
Unexpectedly, after entering the cave mansion, he was stunned. The furnishings were neat and orderly, styled in an ancient and elegant manner.
This cave mansion’s decor was entirely in the style of Yue Kingdom’s Qingzhu Mountain Marketplace.
Much of the furniture was made of bamboo.
“Greetings, Chief Elder.”
Whereas he had been arrogant before Wang Linfei, Lin Chang’an, in disguise, was deeply respectful before the Chief Elder.
“I heard from Fei’er that on your way back, you encountered people of the Huang Clan from the Palace of Blazing Fire?”
“Yes, Chief Elder. That person even had a Talisman Treasure…”
Afterward, the Chief Elder smiled warmly and invited him to sit, asking about every detail.
Had it been someone else, he would have surely slipped up.
Fortunately, Lin Chang’an had obtained most of Huang Shaohai’s memories. He described in vivid detail not only traits of the Huang Clan cultivators from the Palace of Blazing Fire, but even their battle habits.
The Wang Clan, having lived under the Palace of Blazing Fire in Yue Kingdom for centuries, knew them all too well.
Hearing all these details match, the Chief Elder nodded inwardly. It seemed genuine—this Palace of Blazing Fire cultivator was not an impostor.
Never once did it occur to him that the woman before him might be an impostor.
While many techniques could disguise one’s appearance, one’s habits and subtle exchanges could not be forged by mere soul-searching.
Moreover, he was late Foundation Establishment. This female cultivator’s Jade Crystal Bee was gone, along with her means of concealing her aura.
At such close range, he could even clearly smell the scent of her poisonous flower.
It was impossible to fake.
“These are the resources for the Island Lord.”
The Chief Elder, still smiling kindly, raised his hand. A wooden tray appeared before him.
On it were piled storage pouches full of high-grade loot and spirit stones, all seized from raids.
Had it been someone else, they might have been tempted. But Lin Chang’an knew that ancient fortunes were far more valuable than such external things.
“Chief Elder, the Island Lord wants me to ask—regarding that ancient secret realm, was there truly nothing else!?”
All the way here, Lin Chang’an’s powerful perception had told him there was only a late Foundation Establishment old man present, so he was confident.
If he could not win, he could still escape. Thus, he did not mind bluffing with borrowed authority.
Seeing that he ignored the resources and instead asked this question, the Chief Elder frowned. As expected, the Island Lord still did not trust them.
“Our Wang Clan’s strength—does the Island Lord not know it well? In such a place, being able to seize two chapters of an ancient cultivation method was already heaven’s blessing.
And even the only original copy our Wang Clan retained has already been handed over to the Island Lord. With the Island Lord’s insight, he should know it cannot be faked.”
The Chief Elder spoke through clenched anger. If not for this, how would the Wang Clan have suffered such a calamity?
Yet when Lin Chang’an heard this, his heart sank.
The original was gone!
It had been given to Five Dragon Island—now in the hands of a Core Formation cultivator.
How could he possibly snatch it from a Core Formation cultivator’s grasp?
But in the next instant, the Chief Elder’s following words made his heart leap with sudden joy.
An unexpected turn of fortune!